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Brain Health – What’s Normal?

While memory changes as an individual grows older, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias aren’t an inevitable part of the aging process. So, what’s normal and what’s not when it comes to brain health?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, normal brain aging may mean slower processing speeds and more trouble multitasking. It’s normal to occasionally forget where you put your phone, why you walked into a room, or to briefly forget a person’s name. Typically, however, routine memory, skills, and knowledge may remain stable.

When cognitive decline begins to interfere with daily life, that’s when it may be a sign of dementia. This may include disruptions in language, memory, attention, recognition, problem solving, and decision making. This may include:

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life
• Challenges in planning or solving problems
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure
• Confusion with time or place
• Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relations
• New problems with words in speaking or writing
• Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
• Decreased or poor judgment
• Withdrawal from work or social activities
• Changes in mood and personality

If you or someone you love experiences any of these symptoms, see a healthcare provider.